Wisteria Colors

by Julie Christensen

Wisteria flowers need full sun to bloom.

Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis), with its pea-like clusters of flowers and delicate fragrance, adds a soft, romantic appeal to any garden setting. It comes in a variety of pastel hues. In addition to the flowers, the plant is valued for its twisting form, gnarled bark and large green leaves.

Blooms

Perhaps the most well-known shade of wisteria flowers is lavender blue, but wisterias come in white, pink and violet, as well. "Texas White" (Wisteria sinensis "Texas White") produces white blooms, as the name implies. "Prolific" (Wisteria sinensis "Prolific") is a repeat bloomer with lavender blue flowers; "Blue Sapphire" (Wisteria sinensis "Blue Saphhire") has blue-violet flowers. All are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 8.

Species

In addition to a variety of bloom colors, you'll find several species of wisteria to choose from -- each with their own growing needs and potential benefits and drawbacks. Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) is the most common wisteria in the U.S. It thrives in USDA zones 5 through 8 and comes in white, blue, violet and pink. American wisteria (Wisteria frutescens) produces soft lilac or white blooms. Hardy in USDA zones 6 through 9, it has a less rambunctious growth pattern than Chinese wisteria and is easier to control. Japanese wisteria (Wisteria floribunda) is the most adaptable species, growing in USDA zones 4 through 9. It produces white, blue violet or pink-violet flowers on long, rambling vines. Like Chinese wisteria, it doesn't always bloom reliably.

Growing Conditions

The color of your wisteria's blooms becomes irrelevant if the plant doesn't flower. Wisterias are notoriously slow to bloom. In some cases, they can take 10 years or more to bloom for the first time. To encourage earlier blooming, start with a plant that has been propagated through cuttings or shoots, rather than from seed. Plant wisteria in full sun and avoid heavy doses of nitrogen fertilizer. Water the plant regularly and provide a strong support for the heavy vines to grow upon. Wisteria should be pruned annually to control its rampant growth. Avoid overpruning it, though, which can encourage more leafy growth and few flowers.

Bloom Time

In addition to color, consider bloom time when planting wisteria. Chinese and Japanese wisterias bloom in early summer, while American wisteria blooms in late summer to early fall. Plant both and you can extend the season for those lovely blooms over several months. Because American wisteria blooms in late summer, it is less vulnerable to late spring frosts than other wisteria varieties, making it a more reliable bloomer if you live in an area with cool springs.

About the Author

Julie Christensen is a food writer, caterer, and mom-chef. She's the creator of MarmaladeMom.org, dedicated to family fun and delicious food, and released a book titled "More Than Pot Roast: Fast, Fresh Slow Cooker Recipes."

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